
Italy is taking huge steps to protect children from being raised by far-left extremists. And they’re stopping the problem right at the source.
At a glance:
- Italy extends its existing ban on surrogacy to include couples seeking it abroad, imposing penalties of up to two years in prison and fines of up to €1 million.
- The new law, championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government, is seen by critics as particularly targeting LGBTQ couples.
- Activists argue the law infringes on reproductive rights, while supporters claim it protects traditional family values and maternal dignity.
Italy’s Senate has passed a law extending the country’s ban on surrogacy to Italian citizens seeking the practice abroad, marking a major victory for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy Party. Surrogacy has been illegal in Italy since 2004, but the new legislation now makes it a crime for Italian couples to engage in the practice outside the country in nations like the U.S. or Canada, where it is legal.
Those found guilty could face imprisonment for up to two years and fines reaching €1 million. Meloni, a self-described advocate of traditional family values, has repeatedly condemned surrogacy as an “inhuman” practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-Z45tvl2o8
Supporters of the law claim that it defends the dignity of women and children, while critics argue that the measure unfairly targets LGBTQ families, as same-sex couples in Italy are already barred from adopting or using IVF treatments. LGBTQ activists contend that the law limits reproductive options, particularly for same-sex couples who are unable to conceal their use of surrogacy abroad.
The law has sparked protests, with demonstrators arguing that it will make it harder for people to become parents despite Italy’s rapidly declining birth rate. Many believe the law disproportionately affects LGBTQ couples, with some activists calling it a “monstrous” law that equates surrogacy with criminal acts such as pedophilia and genocide.
The debate over surrogacy has emerged as a key issue in Meloni’s socially conservative agenda, reinforcing her government’s stance on limiting non-traditional family structures. Despite the outcry, the new law aligns with Meloni’s broader efforts to reinforce what she views as the “natural family” and traditional gender roles.